Name: Tater Tot Taco Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (85/15 or 80/20); 1 small yellow onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons taco seasoning; 1 (15 oz) can corn kernels, drained; 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained; 1/2 cup green onions, sliced (plus extra for garnish); 1 (7 oz) can diced green chilies; 1 (19 oz) can enchilada sauce; 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided; 1 (32 oz) package frozen tater tots; Toppings: sour cream, sliced black olives, chopped tomatoes, additional sliced green onion

Description

A comforting casserole that combines taco flavors with the crunchy goodness of tater tots, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (85/15 or 80/20)
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 (15 oz) can corn kernels, drained
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup green onions, sliced (plus extra for garnish)
1 (7 oz) can diced green chilies
1 (19 oz) can enchilada sauce
3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
1 (32 oz) package frozen tater tots
Toppings: sour cream, sliced black olives, chopped tomatoes, additional sliced green onion

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
For an extra crispy layer, arrange tater tots on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef for about 3 minutes until it’s barely pink.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic, stirring until the onion softens and the beef is fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the taco seasoning, drained corn, rinsed black beans, sliced green onions, and diced green chilies.
Pour in the enchilada sauce and mix in 2 cups of shredded cheese until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Transfer the beef-and-bean mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Top with the arranged tater tots.
Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until the edges are bubbly and the tots are golden brown.
Remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tater tots, and bake for another 5 minutes until melted. Broil for 1-2 minutes for an extra crispy finish.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Notes

You can easily swap out ingredients based on dietary preferences or what you have on hand. For instance, ground turkey can replace the beef for a lighter version, or you can use gluten-free tater tots if needed.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican